,transcriber's note3 ,unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed4 ,illustration3 ,the next moment the full moon fell on a large black poisonous snake1 rapidly gilding away over the sand4 ,,the ,,wanderer ,,in ,,africa4 ,a ,,tale ,,illustrative ,,of ,,the ,,thirty-,,second ,,psalm ,,by ,a4 ,l4 ,o4 ,e4 ,,authoress ,,of ,,the ,,claremont ,,tales2 ,,ned ,,franks2 ,,sheer ,,off2 ,,etc4 ,illustration ,london3 ,,gall ,,and ,,inglis1 #be ,,paternoster ,,square2 ,,and ,,edinburgh4 ,,contents4 -------- ,,chap4 ,i4 ,,night ,,on ,,the ,,waste ,,ii4 ,,wanderings ,,iii4 ,,wanderings--continued ,,iv4 ,,forsaken ,v4 ,,not ,,forsaken ,,vi ,,peril ,,at ,,hand ,,vii4 ,,resolutions ,,viii4 ,,guidance ,,ix4 ,,the ,,stubborn ,,sinner ,x4 ,,home ,,the ,,wanderer ,,in ,,africa1 ,illustrating the ,thirty-second ,psalm4 ,illustration ,,chapter ,i4 ,,night ,,on ,,the ,,waste4 ,blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven1 whose sin is covered4 ,blessed is the man unto whom the ,lord imputeth not iniquity1 and in whose spirit there is no guile4--,psalm xxxii4 #a1 #b4 ,no use1 it won't do4 ,rhinoceros hide won't get another yard out of them beasts6 ,we must outspan 99 for the night6 exclaimed ,hans ,kuhe1 the ,dutch ,boer1 after ,pollux1 his ,hottentot driver1 had been for an hour belabouring1 with the huge whip1 eight unfortunate oxen that were vainly trying to drag his waggon through a sandy ,african waste4 99 ,unyoke4 ,dutch farmer at the ,cape ,colony4 ,if we could but have reached water--the poor beasts are dying of thirst1 observed ,david1 an ,english lad who was servant to the ,boer4 ,eight oxen are not enough to draw that heavy waggon4 ,and he looked with pity at the panting creatures1 whose sides were seamed with weals1 and bleeding from the whip which ,pollux had plied with such merciless force4 ,hans muttered a curse on the four oxen that had died on the road1 and a fiercer one upon the ,bushmen who had carried off two others during the night4 ,he was a large1 bulky man1 with coarse features bloated by intemperance1 his brandy-bottle and his pipe being his two constant companions4 ,help ,pollux to outspan4 ,don't stand there like a lazy cur1 as you are6 exclaimed the ,boer to the ,english lad1 who had done nine-tenths of all the work since the expedition had started4 ,no sulky looks for me1--and why do you go limping like that8 ,the question was asked in a tone of anger1 by no means that of pity4 ,that fore ox kicked me on the ankle1 said ,david4 ,you're an awkward cub6 growled the ,boer4 ,no time to be lame now--you've a thirty miles' walk afore ye to-morrow1 ere we got to the ,quagga ,fountain4 ,now make haste1 will ye1 and take the yoke off that beast4 ,who will take the yoke off 'me8' thought the poor lad1 as1 biting his lip to repress either anger or pain1 he proceeded to help to outspan the oxen for the night4 ,but a year before1 ,david ,aspinall had been a fine specimen of an ,english youth1 with strength in his well-knit limbs1 and careless mirth in his eyes1 and a light heart in his bosom1 which knew little of sorrow or care4 ,now1 the sun-burnt cheek had grown hollow1 and the eye had lost all its brightness1 and the clothes hung loosely on the wasted limbs1 and the expression of his face told of hardship and grief1 borne silently1 but felt none the less4 ,it has been my own choice1 this path of misery2 it has been my own putting on1 this intolerable yoke of bondage6 so thought ,david1 as he went on with his occupation4 ',the wages of sin'--the wages of sin--ay1 ,i know what they come to6 ,i have none to blame but myself6 ,i might have been-- but as that might have been was too bitter a reflection to dwell on1 ,david tried to drive it away4 ,the evening's work was done4 ,hans1 after a heavy meal of beltong 99 taken with a large amount of brandy1 sat on the waggon shaft1 smoking his pipe in lazy enjoyment1 and his weary1 almost worn-out servant was suffered to take his food4 ,there was nothing that would have refreshed ,david so much as to have plunged his aching head into cold water1 and so have quenched his feverish thirst1 but the small supply left in the water-jar was precious1 and he scarcely received enough to relieve his most pressing need4 99 ,dried flesh4 ,now ,i'm going to turn in1 said ,hans ,kuhe1 who1 after the fashion of ,african travellers1 made a house of his waggon2 you must keep watch1 ,davy1 to-night1 for ,pollux is not to be trusted2 there he lies snoring already6 ,we may have some of the ,bushmen thieves down on us again1 or the hyenas may come slinking to see what they can carry off1 or a lion may scent the cattle4 ,i fancy ,i heard a roar in the distance4 ,you keep the double-barrelled gun beside you1 and mind1 no sleeping on watch1 or ,i'll give you a taste of the rhinoceros hide6 ,the bulky form of the ,boer soon disappeared under the tilt of the waggon4 ,david ,aspinall was left to watch through the long weary hours in the dreary ,african waste4 ,night was there1 but without its stillness4 ,the painful lowing of the thirsty oxen1 the occasional loud barking of the dogs whom a sense of danger seemed to keep wakeful1 the howling of jackals1 and the wild laugh of the hyenas in the distance1 made together a horrible concert1 which combined with the pain in his ankle to keep the weary lad from sleeping4 ,would you wish to know the thoughts that passed through his mind1 as resting on the sands1 with his back against one of the huge wheels of the heavy waggon1 and the double-barrelled gun close to his hand1 ,david sat with his eyes fixed on the large round moon which seemed to hang so near to earth1 and which threw such black shadows of every object on the waste8 ,a blessing and a curse were set before me2 ,i left the blessing1 and chose the curse6 ,i was taught the right way1 ,i was told my duty1 ,i had parents who tried to lead me heavenwards1 both by their words and their example4 ,i had a conscience1 but ,i would not listen to it2 a ,bible1 but ,i cared not to read it4 ,what would ,i not give for that ,bible now6 ,i have not set eyes on one for months6 ,i wonder if ,i could remember anything of what ,i learnt by heart when ,i was a child at ,greenside ,farm6 and ,david began half aloud3 ',the ,lord is my ,shepherd1 ,i shall not want4 ,he maketh me to lie down in green pastures2 ,he leadeth me beside the still waters4' ,i can't go on with that1 murmured the poor lad with a choking sensation at his throat1 as his memory recalled soft green meadows1 spangled with buttercups and daisies1 in which he had sported when a child1 and the little gurgling stream sparkling in the sunshine1 as it flowed from under the shadow of the one-arched bridge4 ,that ,psalm is not for me1 not for a wandering sheep2 it is for ,god's own flock1 who hear ,his voice1 and follow ,him4 ,i'm afraid ,i can remember no other3 yes1 there's the thirty-second ,psalm1 my mother's favourite1 perhaps ,i could get through that4 ',blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven1 whose sin is covered4 ,blessed is the man unto whom the ,lord imputeth not iniquity1 and in whose spirit there is no guile6' ,david stopped short1 and pressed his feverish brow4 ',that' ,psalm may be for me1 for it is for the wanderer2 it speaks of transgression and sin1--and oh6 ,it speaks of forgiveness and blessing6 ,can it be that ,i1 wretched1 desolate as ,i am1 can be 'blessed8' ,david looked earnestly up at the bright clear moon1 as if to read an answer to his question there4 ,she could smile in the desert1 even as she had smiled on the meadows1 and the trees1 and the flowing stream by his ,english home2 nay1 she looked larger and lovelier here1 as the air was clearer4 ,blessed--blessed1 repeated ,david to himself1 as if he had difficulty in taking in the meaning of the words4 ,but 'how' can transgression be forgiven1 and 'how' can sin be covered8 ,then in that wild solitude there came back on the memory of the poor lad lessons learned on the knee of his mother1 lessons which had seemed till that moment forgotten2 sermons heard in the quiet little church on the hill1 whither he had often gone so unwillingly1 where he had listened so carelessly to the message of good tidings from the lips of his pastor4 ,david was not ignorant of the truths of the ,gospel1 but it had seemed as if1 with him1 the good seed had fallen by the wayside1 and that pride1 selfishness1 and folly1 like the birds of the air1 had carried it all away4 ,but it was not really so2 some had rested on his memory1 and now in the dreary ,african land were to spring up and bear good fruit4 ,very familiar to the ear of ,david ,aspinall had been the verse1-- ',the blood of ,jesus ,christ ,his ,son cleanseth us from all sin4' ,but he had never cared in his days of selfish mirth to apply its meaning to himself4 ,david then had taken his sins too little to heart to reflect whether his could ever be cleansed away4 ,he had welcomed ,christmas year after year1 but merely as a time of mirth and feasting2 it had seemed little to him that a ,saviour had deigned to be born into the world which ,he had made1--for ,david had felt no need of a ,saviour4 ,it was different now3 all the lad's earthly hopes had been crushed1 all his earthly happiness had vanished away4 ,david had offended against the laws of his country2 he had found no mercy from man1 and he feared the just anger of ,god4 ,david had nothing left to cling to but the hope of forgiveness1 and he knew1 he had been taught from his childhood1 that forgiveness1 though freely offered to all1 could only be procured by any through faith in a crucified ,saviour1 who died1 the ,just for the unjust6 ,it was long since ,david had prayed4 ,perhaps it might more truly be said that he had never prayed in his life1 for what are words without thoughts1 the service of the lips without the love of the heart8 ,david's first real prayer for forgiveness arose as he sat by the wheel of that great waggon1 with the yells of wild beasts sounding in his ears4 ,in his spirit there was at least no guile4 ,he did not deceive himself as to his state before ,god2 he made no excuses for his errors2 he felt from the bottom of his heart that he was a sinner1 and deserved all the misery that he endured4 ,he knew that it would be a mockery of ,god to ask pardon for the past1 without also asking for grace for the future1 to lead a new and better life4 ,david was honest in his repentance1 sincere in his sorrow for sin4 ,alas6 ,there are too many who mistake the mere cry of distress1 under sharp affliction1 for the penitent grief of a broken and contrite heart6 ,david had unconsciously clasped his hands in prayer2 when he had unclasped them1 he accidentally put his left hand down towards the ground1 and he started as it touched something clammy1 which moved under his touch as if alive4 ,the next moment the full moonlight fell on a large black poisonous snake1 rapidly gliding away over the sand6 ,it had been coiled up quite close to the lad1 so close as to have been concealed by his own shadow6 ,there had ,david rested in perfect unconsciousness of the deadly enemy so near1 that an incautious movement on his part1 by hurting and irritating the reptile1 might have cost him his life6 ,david made no attempt to pursue the serpent2 his foot had by this time swelled so much that he could hardly have put it to the ground1 and to have broken the heavy sleep of ,hans for so commonplace an event 7in ,africa7 as the appearance of a poisonous snake1 would only have drawn upon himself the savage anger of the ,boer4 ,but the visit of the reptile had not been without its effect on the mind of ,david1 occurring as it had done at an hour of penitence and prayer4 ,he felt that a pitying ,providence had been watching over him1 and a hope arose that he had been saved for future good1 that his painful life had not been lengthened but for some purpose of mercy and love4 ,as ,david silently returned thanks to ,god for having saved him from the fangs of the serpent1 he almost felt as if this deliverance were a pledge that his prayer had been heard1 and that his sins were forgiven4 ,oh6 ,if he could but be at peace with ,god1 then indeed might he face all his miseries with a firm and undaunted soul6 ,then followed other thoughts1 suggested by the wild howls of the jackals and hyenas1 snuffing the scent of food1 yet not daring to attack the travelling party4 ,those sounds used to frighten me when ,i was new to them1 thought ,david1 and even now they sent a thrill through me which was something like fear4 ,i listened to them1 and looked to my musket1 and kept watchful and ready4 ,but ,i was utterly careless of the far greater danger close by1 the venomous serpent coiling so near6 ,it is like what happens to us in life4 ,we are watchful against outer dangers1 we try to guard against poverty1 sickness and pain1 and we let the venomed serpent of sin lie in our bosom1 though we know that its bite is death6 ,david remained wakeful at his post1 till the approach of the morn made the wild creatures of the desert retire4 ,then indeed his thoughts became very dim and confused2 a sound as of church bells was in his ears1 like the invitation to come and worship which he had so often heard in the country of his birth1 and so often of late months refused to accept4 ,then he was no longer in the dry and thirsty waste1 the heavy waggon with its great canvas tilt1 the broad wheels--the tired oxen resting around1--all had disappeared from his view4 ,david dreamed that he was in the little church on the hill1 sitting by the side of his mother in the well-remembered seat close to the pillar4 ,he had often sat there when he was a boy1 impatient for the end of the service1 with thoughts intent on the thrush's nest that he had seen in the thicket1 or the jackdaw's brood that he hoped to bring down from the old ruined tower4 ,david had grudged the time spent in church1 and now that church in his dream appeared to him almost like heaven6 ,there was the well-known hymn--,rock of ,ages1 cleft for me6--swelling in the slumberer's ear1 and ,david could distinguish the tones of his mother's voice1 but sweeter than they ever had sounded before6 ,and then he seemed to be listening to the aged white-headed pastor1 whose sermons he once had thought so long1--and the silver hair above his brow looked to the dreaming youth like a glory6 ,he was preaching about the ,prodigal ,son1 and the joy in the father's home--and the father's heart--when the lost one again was found6 ,david fancied that he caught the sound of his mother's sob1 and that the old clergyman's eyes were fixed on him1 and that he knew that he himself was the prodigal welcomed back1--never to wander again6 ,the last words that rang in ,david's ear before his sweet dream was rudely broken1 were the words of the ,psalm that his mother loved1--the words that had brought to him comfort and hope1-- ',blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven1 and whose sin is covered4' ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,wanderings4 ,when ,i kept silence1 my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long4 ,for day and night ,thy hand was heavy upon me3 my moisture is turned into the drought of summer4--,psalm xxxii4 #c1 #d4 ,,while the exhausted lad is sleeping on his hard couch of sand1 ,i will briefly relate the story of his past life1 and tell the circumstances which led to his being a ,wanderer in ,africa1 and in the service of ,hans ,kuhe1 the ,boer4 ,david ,aspinall was the son of a small farmer in ,dorsetshire1--an honest1 ,god-fearing man1 who had held a blameless course through life1 looking to the ,life beyond the tomb4 ,he had no other son than ,david1 but he had five little daughters1 all of whom were younger than their brother4 ,with so many mouths to feed1 the farmer had little to spare1 though many a poor neighbour had a slice of bacon1 or a jug of skimmed milk from his good wife's dairy4 ,john ,aspinall's strong wish was to bring up this only boy as his helper1 and then successor at ,greenside ,farm4 ,he felt that his own health was frail1 and his life even more uncertain than that of most other men4 ,it's a comfort to me1 he would say to himself1 when he was more poorly than usual1 that there will be ,davy to look after the place1 and take care of his mother and sisters1 if so be as ,god should please to take me4 ,but ,david's plans for himself were very different from those of his father for him4 ,he wanted to see life1 to go into the world1 to have something more exciting to do than foddering cattle1 or shearing sheep1 or driving the plough a-field4 ,david was a sharp1 clever lad1 sure to make his way to fortune1 at least so his vanity told him1 and not the boy to be buried in a small out of the way farm6 ,the time came when a decision must be made4 ,after a sharp attack of rheumatic fever1 which had made him feel more than ever that he needed the help of his son1 ,john ,aspinall1 one day late in ,april1 explained his wishes and those of his wife to ,david4 ,the lad was somewhat taken aback4 ,he had that very morning been poring over the advertisements in a newspaper1 and calculating how much money it would take to carry him up to ,london1 and thinking what grand things he might do1 and what a great man he might become1 if he could once get a fair start in life4 ,david had always been a wild and wilful boy1 ready for any sport or fun1 and the idea of being shut up all his life at ,greenside ,farm was more than his spirit would bear4 ,here now were two paths open before ,david ,aspinall2 the way of duty1--,god's way1 and his own way1--the path of ,self-will4 ,the lad was not long in choosing between them4 ,he said1 indeed1 how much he should like to please his father1 only he could not please him in this4 ,he kissed his mother fondly1 but he grieved her none the less4 ,he made little presents to all his sisters1 and promised them fine things from ,london1 but he would not give up for their sakes that upon which he had set his own heart4 ,john ,aspinall was not a man of words3 his face sharpened by pain1 and the crutch which he used1 said more than he could say2 he let his son know his wishes1 and then suffered him to follow his own4 ,we can't make the lad bide here against his will1 observed the farmer to his wife3 it may please ,god to give me back health1--and if not1 ,he'll care for you and our poor little lasses4 ,the mother turned aside to dry her tearful eyes1 and hoped and prayed that all might turn out for the best4 ,it was a sore disappointment not to be able to keep ,davy at home--but she would send him to her own worthy brother1 the grocer in ,london2 he could learn nothing but good with him1 and would be kept out of the way of temptation4 ,so two of the pigs were sold to pay expenses1 and ,david1 in high glee1 prepared to bid farewell to the little farm in the valley1 and the sad and loving hearts that he would leave behind him4 ,it touched him a little1 indeed1 to see how pale his mother's cheek had grown1 and how red and tearful were the eyes of poor ,jenny1 the eldest but one of his sisters1 as she sat stitching at his new shirts4 ,she had been his especial playmate and pet1 and loved him more than she loved anyone else upon earth4 ,well1 ,jenny1 don't look so down-hearted6 cried the lad1 as he came and seated himself by her side4 ,i can't bear to see you so doleful4 ,and ,i can't bear to see you so merry just when you're going to leave us all1 answered the girl1 with a broken voice4 ,i'm not so merry now1 ,jenny2 ,i can't help having a bit of a twinge when ,i think of saying ,good-bye4 ,then why should you say it8 exclaimed ,jenny1 dropping her work in her eagerness to speak4 ,o ,davy1 ,davy6 ,stay with us--we cannot get on without you1--the farm will seem so lonely--so dreary6 ,even little ,nelly will miss you so1--there will be no brother to dance her on his knee1 or whistle her favourite songs6 ,i shall never care to see the green leaves budding again1 nor to hear the cuckoo1 for they will always remind me of the time when ,davy went to ,london6 ,oh6 ,don't go1--stay with us1 ,davy6 ,why should we not all be happy together8 ,and the poor girl burst into tears4 ,davy kissed away the tears1 and patted his sister on the shoulder1 and said that he would be always thinking of her1 that he would often write home1 and maybe would come to old ,greenside ,farm at ,christmas1--and would not they have rare fun then6 ,david felt the appeal to his affections3 he loved his parents1 and his little sisters1 and the dear old home1 but he loved himself best of all4 ,therefore1 he resolved to go up to ,london4 ,another effort was made to keep the wilful lad at his home4 ,minnie1 the eldest of the girls1 gentle1 thoughtful1 and good1 her father's comfort1 her mother's right hand1 felt that it would be right to try one more appeal to her brother's sense of duty4 ,as ,davy was on his knees1 on the evening before the day fixed on for his departure1 beginning to pack his box1 he heard her gentle tap at the door4 ,come in1 said ,davy1 looking up4 ,so1 ,minnie1 you've come to help me1 like a dear good child as you are6 ,not exactly that1 said his sister1 though ,i should be glad to help you to pack if--if you indeed must go4 ,but1 ,o ,davy6 ,i wish to speak a few words to you first4 ,i want to tell you what ,i heard dear father say to mother to-day4 ,minnie found it difficult to command her voice1--but she was determined to say what she had to say1 though her brother looked a little impatient1 as if afraid of a lecture4 ,father said1 ',i sometimes think ,i won't last long1 ,mary1 and if ,i go1 you'll have to give up the farm1 as you'll have no son to help you4' ,i hope that father is better than he thinks himself1 said ,david1 looking grave4 ,i hope and trust that he is1 faltered ,minnie1 but he has been so much pulled down by pain6 ,yes1 that makes him take care about this thing and that4 ,i believe what ails him is more worry than anything else4 ,and if a son could take off any of those cares1 could prevent any of the worry1 would it not be right-- began ,minnie1 but ,david impatiently cut her short4 ,don't bother me about that1--,i've made up my mind to go1 and ,i'm going6 ,father hasn't thriven well as a farmer2 ,i mean to thrive in some other line1 and come back rich1 and make you all comfortable and happy6 ,there was a verse of ,scripture in ,minnie's mind1 and she felt that she must repeat it1 though it made her heart beat faster to do so1 for she knew her brother's dislike to religious talk4 ,davy1 she said very softly1 ',the blessing of the ,lord1 it maketh rich1 and ,he addeth no sorrow with it4' ,can we look for that blessing if we turn away from our duty8 ,minnie1 it's a pity you're not a parson1 but ,i don't want sermons out of church6 cried ,david1 half inclined to be angry1 and yet aware in his conscience that his sister was in the right4 ,go and fetch me a bit of rope1 will you1--and ask ,jenny if the last shirt is ready4 ,come what may1 nothing shall change me1--,i'm off to ,london to-morrow6 ,and so the lad set off on the following morning3 and if a little sadness came over his heart as he received his mother's kiss and his father's blessing1 and saw his sisters crying1 it soon passed away4 ,by the time that ,david had lost sight of the clump of elm-trees on the hill1 and the church spire1 which was a landmark for miles around1 rising amongst them1 and had crossed the little one-arch which marked the boundary of the parish1 his thoughts flowed as merrily and freely as the brook which sparkled below4 ,david found amusing companions in the train1 whose talk beguiled the long journey to ,london4 ,great was his pleasure and excitement on arriving at the great bustling city1 where everything was to him so new and so strange4 ,david felt himself in a new world6 ,he soon got into an omnibus and went off to the house of his uncle1 the grocer1 who had agreed to receive him1 and put him into the way of earning an honest living4 ,the farmer's son did not much fancy the look of his new home1 which was in rather a narrow1 smoky street in the east end of ,london2 he missed the clear air1 the bright sunshine1 the sweet scents to which he had been accustomed at ,greenside4 ,nor was the lad much pleased with the manner and appearance of his uncle4 ,mr4 ,white was a quiet1 sober man of business1 who went on year after year in the same routine of occupation1 without himself requiring amusement or change1 or ever thinking that others might require them4 ,his uncle1 however1 was kind to him2 that is to say1 he provided all that was needful for him1 did not overwork his nephew1 nor treat him with any harshness4 ,but he naturally expected him to be punctual and steady1 and do his allotted work4 ,david soon tired of this2 he found that standing behind a counter1 weighing out pounds of sugar and half pounds of tea1 was no more exciting or amusing than threshing out corn in a barn4 ,besides this1 ,david disliked the ways of his uncle's house2 he could not bear the regular hours2 he found the family prayer irksome1 and he was angry at being warned against companions and amusements that were a great deal more to his taste4 ,i can't stand this sort of thing6 said ,david to himself1 after he had been but five days in ,london4 ,short as his visit had been1 he had already managed to pick up acquaintance with three or four wild lads whom he fancied1 as being fellows up to a lark6 ,one of them put him in the way of getting another place--,quite a different thing1 a place where he wouldn't be hunted after by a prosing old ,methodist uncle2 where he would have the evenings and nights to spend as he pleased1 and where he might be as jolly and free as ever he liked6 ,david knew perfectly well that his parents would wish him to stay with his uncle ,white2 that they would be uneasy if they knew him to be exposed to the numberless temptations of a great city1 and seeking the society of such comrades as would only lead him into evil4 ,again1 two paths lay before ,david ,aspinall1--,god's path of duty1--his own of self-will4 ,again the lad turned from the right1 in his careless pursuit after pleasure4 ,he left his uncle1 telling him that he thought he could better himself in another place1 and that after giving it a trial1 he was convinced that he never could settle down to the grocery business4 ,david soon found that he had indeed chosen a downward way2 he would hardly have believed it possible1 but a month before1 that he could have made such quick progress in evil4 ,the lad had always been careless and thoughtless as regarded religion1 but he had not hitherto been profane1 he had never uttered an oath in his life4 ,he had behaved decently1 both when at his father's home and when under the roof of his uncle4 ,now all restraint was removed1 and ,david became like one of his ,godless companions4 ,he could laugh at what once would have made him blush4 ,he never prayed1 he never opened his ,bible1 he never entered the door of a church4 ,he frequented the public-houses1 the theatres1 and places of low amusement4 ,sunday excursions were his delight4 ,his guilt was all the greater that he knew what was his duty4 ,david did not care to write to his parents2 he scarcely liked to remember them at all1 for a pang of conscience would sometimes shoot through his soul1 when the thought would come1 ,what would father say if he could see me now8 ,poor mother6 ,if she knew what ,i am after1 it would well-nigh break her heart6 ,david even hated the sight of letters from home1 they always made him so dull4 ,he often wished that his family did not know his address4 ,this career of folly and sin lasted almost to the end of that year1 and then it was brought suddenly to a close4 ,david and a party of his companions were returning from ,greenwich one ,sunday night1 heated with drink1 when they took to breaking windows1 and insulting or knocking down peaceable citizens whom they met4 ,young ,aspinall1 indeed1 took less part than the rest in the more serious mischief1 but he was mixed up in the whole affair1 and accordingly found himself1 with one of the others1 in the lock-up before morning4 ,it was a dreadful trial to the lad1 who had by no means lost his sense of shame1 to be brought to a police-court on the ,monday morning1 charged with breaking the law4 ,some delay occurred1 from the absence of an important witness1 and ,david was remanded till the next day1 so had to spend another miserable night in the company of pickpockets and drunkards4 ,but if he had been wretched on his first appearance before a magistrate1 ,david was far more wretched on his second1 for as the prisoner entered the crowded1 heated court1 and raised his eyes for a moment 7for he had hitherto kept them bent on the floor71 they fell on the form of his father leaning on his crutch1 his honest face looking old and haggard1 and with such an expression of grief and shame upon it as cut his son to the soul4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,wanderings--continued4 ,,john ,,aspinall had come up by the night train to ,london--a place which he had never visited before--on account of a telegram received from ,mr4 ,white on the preceding day at ,greenside ,farm4 ,never before had a telegram been seen1 or scarcely heard of1 in that quiet secluded spot1 and its contents had filled the hitherto peaceful home with mourning and woe4 ,had the tidings been those of ,david's death1 they would not have caused more anguish4 ,his sisters cried bitterly1 little ,nelly the loudest of all1 though she could not1 of course1 understand the cause of the trouble2 she only knew that something dreadful had happened to ,davy4 ,jenny was indignant at the thought of her brother--her darling brother--being brought before a magistrate4 ,he is as innocent as a lamb1 ,i'm certain that he is1 she exclaimed through her sobs4 ,this is the doing of some wicked1 cruel enemy1 who wants to ruin our ,davy4 ,are you not sure that he is innocent1 ,minnie8 ,poor ,minnie could only hope so4 ,her love was as tender as ,jenny's1 but not so blind4 ,she was too well-aware that poor ,davy had not made duty the rule of his conduct at home1 and she knew that when a stone is set rolling down a steep hill1 no one can tell where it will stop4 ,the tone of the very few short notes which ,david had written home during the last six months had made his sister very uneasy2 of late he had written none at all4 ,minnie was less surprised than distressed when the sad news came4 ,she tried1 though with a very sore heart1 to cheer her mother1 and speak hope to her father1 but her great resource was pouring out her heart in prayer to ,god4 ,mrs4 ,aspinall could not weep1 and would not complain1 but she trembled1 and a feeling of faint sickness came over her frame4 ,her boy1 her darling1 her pride1 he to whom she had once looked as her future comfort and the support of the family1 was he to bring down the grey hairs of his parents with sorrow to the grave8 ,wife1 said the farmer abruptly1 ,i must be up to ,london2 there's a train starts at ten to-night4 ,mrs4 ,aspinall cast a sad look out at the chill wintry landscape1 but she knew it would be vain to attempt to prevent her husband from taking the journey4 ,she pulled out of her large pocket a purse1 for she usually had charge of the money of the family4 ,she emptied the purse on the deal table with her cold trembling fingers2 there were a few small pieces of silver1 and several of copper1 but not one of gold4 ,the farmer looked at the little store for a moment or two with a knitted brow1 then muttered as if to himself1 ,cobbs said last week as how he'd be glad to buy ,crummie2 ,i'll just step over and see if he's in the same mind4 ,we'd spare anything for our boy1 said ,mary ,aspinall4 ,these were the first words which she had trusted herself to utter since the arrival of that dreadful telegram paper4 ,so ,crummie was sold1 the favourite cow that the farmer had reared from a calf2 that had been the pride and pet of his children1 and whose milk had been the chief means1 as his wife often said1 of bringing him through his long illness4 ,with a full purse but a fuller heart1 the unhappy father started on his journey to ,london1 on a dark1 cold1 drizzly night4 ,he would not have started alone1 for ,mary yearned to go with him1 had the mother not feared that all the spare cash would be wanted for ,david1 and had she not felt that it was needful for her to stop and take care of the girls and the farm4 ,after once catching a glimpse of his father in the police-court1 ,david could hardly give his mind to attend to what was passing around him4 ,the voices sounded like a confused babble in his ears2 he seemed conscious only of one thing1 that he was a guilty wretch1 deserving any amount of punishment that might be inflicted upon him4 ,how had he repaid all the love that had been lavished on him since his birth2 how had he fulfilled the fond hopes of which he had long been the object8 ,david ,aspinall was convicted of misdemeanour2 the sentence was fine or imprisonment4 ,john paid the fine at once2 his son1 who was well-aware how scanty were the means of his parents1 could not bear to think1 though he could easily guess1 how the money had been procured4 ,his uncle ,white1 who was present1 led the unhappy father1 and yet more unhappy son1 out of the court1 called a cab1 and took them at once to his home4 ,not a word was uttered during the long rattling drive4 ,the farmer sat opposite to ,david1 leaning both hands on his crutch1 with his head bowed down2 a heavier weight than that of years was crushing the honest man to the dust6 ,and then could ,david realise to some extent the misery described in the words of the ,psalmist1 the anguish of remorse without confession1 remorse uncheered by the hope of ,god's forgiveness4 ,the ,lord's hand was heavy upon him2 his moisture was indeed changed into the drought of summer6 ,david made a not uncommon mistake at this time of shame and anguish4 ,he thought that remorse was repentance2 he hated himself for his sin2 but he had yet to learn that to hate self is not always to give up self1 and that the heart may be wrung with misery1 yet the stubborn will remain unbroken4 ,you'll come back with me1 lad8 ,your mother won't be easy till she sees you2 you're wanted more than over at the farm4 ,these were the first words which ,john ,aspinall addressed on that day to his son1 and they were uttered in a hoarse1 husky voice4 ,i'll never go back6 exclaimed ,david1 with passionate excitement4 ,this will be known all over the village--,i could not look any one in the face6 ,no1 no2 ,i'd sooner die than go back6 ,but what if it be your duty to go1 said ,mr4 ,white1 in a tone of grave reproof4 ,we must sometimes put our likes and dislikes out of the question1 and try--to make up for the past4 ,i'll go out to one of the colonies1 and work my way in a place where ,i am not known1 exclaimed ,david1 who had hardly listened to his uncle1 and who dared not look at his father4 ,yet again the two ways1 the right and the wrong1 were before the young lad4 ,had his been true godly repentance1 he would at any cost have tried to make the only amends that he could make to his family for all the grief that he had caused them4 ,he would have sacrificed his self-will to what he knew to be the clear duty before him4 ,he would have obeyed the wishes of his earthly father1 and so have followed the guidance of his heavenly ,father4 ,but ,david was not prepared to do this4 ,once again1 after all the bitter lessons of the past1 he chose the way of his own inclination1 and decided on working his way out to the ,african coast4 ,david did not even go back with his afflicted father to spend ,christmas at ,greenside ,farm4 ,he would not have done so1 even could he have afforded the expense of the journey4 ,as it was1 all his wages had gone in selfish pleasures1 and he had to borrow from his uncle what was required for bare necessaries to fit him out for the voyage4 ,before a fortnight had passed1 ,david was tossing in the ,british ,channel1 encountering the hardships of life at sea1 and in vain straining his eyes1 as he passed the ,dorsetshire coast1 to catch a glimpse of the distant church spire rising from the clump of old elms4 ,the way of transgressors is hard4 ,this is declared in the ,bible1 and millions1 by sad experience1 can testify to its truth4 ,every one who habitually chooses to follow his own will1 disregarding duty and conscience1 will find in the end--if he find not at once--that sorrow follows as the shadow of sin4 ,david was no longer a thoughtless1 light-hearted lad1 he was a burdened sinner1 ashamed to think of his home1 afraid to think of his ,god6 ,after a miserable voyage1 which had seemed to him as if it never would end1 ,david arrived at the ,cape of ,good ,hope4 ,he was almost unprovided with money1 and did not find it as easy as he had expected to obtain good employment4 ,he got a few odd jobs1 but no permanent engagement4 ,after a while he was tempted by the offer of high wages1 and also by the hope of adventure and sport1 to go a considerable way inland1 to enter the service of ,hans ,kuhe1 the ,dutch ,boer1 to whom ,i have already introduced the reader4 ,the lad spent all his little means in making the long journey1 and then found himself at ,heinbok ,kloof in the position almost of a prisoner1 or rather of a slave1 to the coarse-minded hard-hearted man whom he had chosen as master4 ,david had no power to get away1 for it was impossible for him1 without money or oxen1 to return to ,cape ,town through a dry barren tract1 the haunt of wild beasts1 and of tribes of men almost as wild4 ,young ,aspinall was chained to the service of one who so disliked ,england and the ,english that he gave the name of ,britain to his most obstinate ox1 for the express purpose of having something to thrash which bore that hated name4 ,oh how bitterly did ,david contrast the rude dwelling of ,hans1 seen under the furnace-like glare of an ,african sun1 to his own peaceful home in the valley2 the yellow thick-lipped ,hottentots1 who1 whenever they dared1 left their work to be done by the ,english lad1 to the dear ones whose faces and forms were so familiar to memory2 his father1 with his broad sun-burnt brow2 his gentle mother1 his rosy-checked sisters4 ,david even contrasted the lean long-legged oxen with sides seamed by the traces of the cruel rhinoceros hide1 to the sleek cattle that grazed in ,english pastures1 or stood1 as he so often had seen them1 in the pool enjoying the fresh cool waters in the stillness of a summer eve4 ,sorely did ,david repent that he had ever wandered from ,greenside ,farm4 ,but still ,david's was not that repentance which leads the sinner to ,god1 it was not laying down the burden of his sins and his sorrows at the feet of his ,saviour1 and trusting to that ,saviour's mercy and merits for pardon and peace4 ,it was not until the night on which my story opens1 when ,david was returning from an expedition still further inland1 undertaken by his master for purposes of barter with the natives1 that the poor ,wanderer had had a glimpse of the blessed truth that he might yet return to his heavenly ,father1 that his transgressions might be forgiven and all his sins blotted out4 ,great as were his sufferings and dangers1 that was a night of blessing to the penitent lad4 ,it was then that he found his ,god and looked up to ,him in faith1 not as the stern ,judge who would execute judgment upon a criminal1 not as the awful ,king who would crush the rebel who had broken ,his laws1 but as the compassionate ,saviour1 deeply wronged1 yet loving still1 stretching forth those sacred hands once pierced for the sake of sinners1 and calling to ,his wandering sheep1 ,turn ye1 turn ye1 why will ye die8 -------------- ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,forsaken4 ,i acknowledged my sin unto ,thee1 and mine iniquity have ,i not hid4 ,i said1 ,i will confess my transgressions unto the ,lord and ,thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin4--,psalm xxxii4 #e4 ,up with you1 ,english cur6 were the words1 uttered in a harsh guttural tone of command1 which awoke ,david ,aspinall from his short sweet dream1 and roused him in a moment to a sense of the pain fill realities around him4 ,up with you1 ,english cur6 repeated the ,boer1 laying a stress on the word ,english so as to convey an insult in the sound4 ,kick that fellow ,pollux2 these ,totties 99 are always eating or sleeping6 ,we must in-span and be off before the sun grows hot4 99 ,abbreviation for ,hottentot4 ,david sprang to his feet1 but could hardly keep down an exclamation of pain as he did so1 for so sharp was the pang which shot through his injured ankle4 ,he1 however1 awoke ,pollux1 and with the help of the lazy ,hottentot1 at once set about the labour of yoking the unwilling oxen4 ,hans1 seated on the fore-part of the waggon1 eating his breakfast meanwhile1 and then smoking his pipe at ease1 as he watched the efforts of his servants1 which he tried to quicken now and then with an oath or a threat4 ,how ,i hate and despise that man6 ,how ,i should like to serve him out6 ,such had often been the thought of the ,english youth1 and had sometimes been conveyed to its object in looks1 if not in words4 ,but on this morning there was something in the heart of ,david which softened the bitterness of his feelings even towards his tyrant4 ,the labour of in-spanning was rendered very severe by the pain which ,david suffered1 and the toil-drops stood on his brow4 ,he felt how impossible it would be for him to follow the waggon on foot1 and when all was ready for a start1 he limped up to his master1-- ,sir1 you see how my ankle is swelled2 ,i doubt whether ,i could walk a mile to save my life4 ,swelled1--,i should think it was6 exclaimed the ,boer4 ,why1 you'll be no more use for the next month than a lame dog in hunting1 or a lame ox in the yoke6 ,what am ,i to make of you all that time1 for you'll eat if you won't work8 ,i hope1 sir1 you'll let me sit on the waggon1--you see that ,i cannot walk4 ,sit on my waggon1 when those wretched beasts can hardly drag the load over the sand6 exclaimed the large heavy ,boer1 who had himself little intention of walking4 ,no1 no1 if you can't follow on foot1 you may stay behind6 ,and the ,dutchman put again into his mouth the pipe which he had taken out in order to speak1 and puffed away in calm content1 after uttering what was to his poor young servant almost like a sentence of death4 ,commanding his voice and temper as well as he could1 ,david made reply to his master1 ,you can hardly mean to leave me here1 sir1 in the midst of a desert1 thirty miles from water1 to perish by thirst1 if not by wild beasts6 ,pollux1 lash the oxen1 and let us be off6 shouted the ,boer4 ,to leave me thus would be murder6 exclaimed ,david with indignation4 ,you'll find your legs1 ,i warrant you1 and follow the spoor 7track7 of the waggon1 observed ,hans1 as he resumed his pipe4 ,at least--at least you will give me water--and a musket to defend myself from attacks of beasts1 and to procure food-- ,can't spare a musket--have but three2 you may have that6 said the ,boer1 throwing down from the waggon a short spear of native make1 on which he set little value1 and which was likely to be of little use4 ,as for water1 added the ,boer1 ,i've just emptied the last drop from the cask4 ,so frightful was the fate to which the unfortunate youth was likely to be left1 that limping painfully by the waggon1 which was now in motion1 he attempted by entreaty to move the heart of his cruel master4 ,david knew well that ,hans had but to sacrifice a little of his property1 to cast out of the waggon some of the heavy goods within it1 or go on foot himself1 to enable him easily to give that help on which a life might depend4 ,but ,hans seemed as insensible to feelings either of honour or pity as the oxen which dragged him4 ,and ,david1 unable to keep up with the waggon1 and in severe pain from the attempt to do so1 was soon forced to fall behind4 ,he threw himself on the ground1 and for some moments a feeling of sullen despair stole over the deserted youth1 as he listened to the creaking sound of the wheels1 and the crack of the whip1 and the shouting of ,pollux growing fainter in the distance4 ,my ,god--,o my ,god6 he murmured4 ,am ,i to perish thus8 ,david had never felt death so near1 and he now tried to prepare his soul to look it calmly in the face4 ,he might soon have to stand before his offended ,maker--how should he appear8 ,what plea could he offer for mercy8 ,what hope had he that heaven would be his portion when he should lay down the weary burden of the flesh8 ,david felt that his life was probably now to be counted by days1 if not by hours2 for on that most lonesome track1 it was highly improbable that any human being would come to his succour4 ,time was precious indeed4 ,had ,david yet made his peace with ,god8 ,the first clear duty before the youth was to make humble confession of sin before ,god4 ,as ,david lay on the sand1 leaning his brow on his clasped hands1 he went over in thought the events of his past life1 trying his own conduct by the standard of ,god's commands4 ,had he loved the ,lord his ,god with all his heart1 his soul1 and his strength8 ,nay1 he had forgotten his ,maker in the days of his youth--had broken ,his laws--had profaned ,his day--mocked at ,his people--slighted ,his word--even taken ,his name in vain6 ,had ,david done his duty towards his neighbour8 ,nay1 he had treated with ingratitude and disobedience even the parents whom he loved2 he had spoken many a word of anger2 he had harboured thoughts of revenge2 he had not indeed defrauded others of their due1 for he had scorned dishonesty1 but by his evil example1 he had encouraged others in sin4 ,he had not kept his heart pure2 he had not kept his lips clean2 he had done what he ought not to have done1 and left undone what he ought to have done1 and from the depths of his soul the poor sinner confessed that there was no health in him4 ,the act of confession was in itself painful1 and yet it brought a feeling of sweet relief4 ,david had told ,god all--even as a child who has done wrong comes and confesses to a parent1 feeling that any punishment is more tolerable than concealment would be4 ,david had the blessed hope that his punishment1 as regarded suffering for sin after death1 had already been borne1 that it had all been endured by the blessed ,saviour when ,he hung on the awful cross4 ,there is no condemnation for them that are in ,christ ,jesus4 ,sin might indeed bring--had already brought--affliction in this present life4 ,the psalmist was forgiven1 yet tasted to the end of his days the bitter consequences of his sin4 ,but very different is the correcting rod of a loving ,father1 who will make all things to work for good to ,his penitent child1 from the crushing wrath of the ,almighty descending upon a rebel who will not repent6 ,after pouring out his heart in confession and prayer1 ,david felt more calm1 more resigned4 ,he now raised himself a little and looked around4 ,the prospect was indeed most desolate and dreary1 and very painful was the reflected heat of the sun from the barren sands4 ,there was scarcely a breath of air stirring1 and what came seemed to have passed through a furnace4 ,david's mouth was parched and dry from thirst4 ,he could see some wild creatures1 probably zebras1 galloping in the distance4 ,but there was not the slightest chance of his being able to reach them1 even had he possessed a musket1 they would have been beyond its range4 ,the only other object that in the least varied the dreary sameness of the prospect1 was a patch of what seemed to be scarcely worthy of the name of vegetation1 a few hundred yards to the left of the youth1 and almost hidden from view by a little rising4 ,this patch looked so parched up and dry1 that under other circumstances1 ,david would not have cared to go near enough to see what plants had found root in such a desolate place4 ,now1 however1 the shelter of even the smallest bush was not to be despised1 and ,david1 using the spear as a staff1 slowly made his way over the rising ground towards the low clump4 ,he was rewarded for the effort by a joyful surprise4 ,with a delight which only those who have suffered from severe thirst can understand1 ,david beheld a water-melon1 large and juicy1 lying on the ground--that plant which grows in ,african wastes1 as if expressly designed by a gracious ,providence to supply the want of water in a dry and parched up land4 ,david seized the fruit with feverish haste1 cut it open with a large clasp-knife which he carried about him1 and partook with keen enjoyment of its melting contents1 which are said to relieve thirst even better than water4 ,nor was this all4 ,david had not been for months in the ,damara land without learning the value of what1 to a stranger's eye1 might have looked nothing but a few bare twigs4 ,there was a treasure lying below1 and ,david soon dug up with his spear a large juicy root1 wholesome and most refreshing1 which is often eaten by the natives4 ,these plants1 growing in the wilderness1 not only supplied the poor ,wanderer's present need1 but spoke a lesson of hope to his heart1 like that which a little moss once taught the traveller ,bruce4 ,here they grew in the lonely waste1 living proofs of the care of ,providence1 that in some way unseen1 supplied their roots with nourishment1 and made them live and spread where scarcely a blade of grass would grow4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,not ,,forsaken4 ,for this shall every one that is godly pray unto ,thee in a time when ,thou mayest be found3 surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him4--,psalm xxxii4 #f4 ,,david was still thankfully partaking of the root called ,markrohae1 when his attention was arrested by the appearance1 on the sandy horizon1 of a four-footed creature approaching towards him at full speed4 ,he soon distinguished that it was a ,springbok1 a kind of antelope of the desert1 moving rapidly forward in bounds such as perhaps no other quadruped can make4 ,it was coming straight in his direction1 and ,david crouched down low1 grasping his spear1 and hiding himself as well as he could behind the scraggy bushes4 ,he was surprised to see a solitary individual of a species that generally travels in herds1 and still more so that a creature so timid and shy should not have perceived him1 so imperfectly concealed as he was1 and have started off in some other direction4 ,the cause for this was soon evident1 as ,david perceived that three wild dogs were in hot pursuit of the ,springbok1 which they had probably singled out from a herd4 ,the chase must have been a long and severe one1 for the antelope was now slackening its speed1 and the terrified creature was too much alarmed by the close pursuit behind to take notice of danger in front4 ,before it could reach the bushes1 the foremost dog had pulled it down1 and in a few seconds the other two were on their already lifeless prey4 ,illustration3 ,the chase must have been a long and severe one1 for the antelope was now slackening its speed4 ,now was the moment for ,david6 ,with steady aim1 he sent his light spear whirling through the air and right amongst the ravenous wolf-like creatures that had just run down their quarry4 ,it glanced from the shoulder of one of the dogs1 which uttered a yell of pain4 ,david sprang to his foot1 threw up his arms1 and shouted6 ,whether it was his sudden appearance1 or the sound of a human voice1 which is said to have such strange power over the beasts of which man was made the lord1 it is not needful to decide4 ,the savage creatures did not await the approach of the unarmed youth1 but a second shout sent them galloping off with such speed as their already half-exhausted strength would allow1 flying from the face of man1 and leaving their prey behind them4 ,this is indeed wonderful6 murmured ,david1 as he painfully made his way to the spot where the dead antelope lay4 ,god has made the very beasts of prey provide me food in the desert6 ',thou preparest a table before me4' ,that is from the twenty-third ,psalm4 ,i can no longer say that it is not a ,psalm for me4 ',yea1 though ,i walk through the valley of the shadow of death1 ,i will fear no evil1 for ,thou art with me4' ,i will no longer think myself alone4 ,even after all my guilty wanderings1 ,god has not forsaken me4 ,i will trust ,him in life and in death1 'for ,his mercy endureth for ever4' ,taking the spear again as his staff1 ,david1 with considerable difficulty1 dragged the body of the dead ,springbok to the small thicket which he had just quitted4 ,he had learned from the ,bushmen their way of procuring fire without match1 flint1 or steel1 and now his knowledge stood him in good stead4 ,he first gathered together some leaves1 which the fierce sun had made almost as dry as tinder2 next he cut two sticks with his knife1 making a small notch in the first1 and sharpening the point of the second2 he then put this point into the notch1 and twirled the second stick round between the palms of his hands so rapidly1 as to produce sufficient heat to set fire to the little dry heap4 ,he threw on this some withered twigs1 and soon a thin cloud of blue smoke curled up in the clear desert air4 ,david's cooking of a portion of his antelope was of a very rough description1 but he sat down to his hastily prepared meal with a very thankful heart4 ,he had always been accustomed at ,greenside ,farm to hear his father say a grace before dinner1 but since leaving ,england1 ,david had never himself thought of returning thanks to ,god for his food1 until he partook of this meal which ,providence had spread for him in the desert4 ,it was no mere cold form now when ,david ,aspinall uttered the words1-- ,for these1 and 'all' ,his mercies1 the ,lord's name be praised6 ,david was not only refreshed and strengthened by the food1 but he was cheered by the thought that for one night at least he might be able to keep off attacks from wild beasts by lighting a fire4 ,his supply of fuel was indeed very scanty1 but then he would use it sparingly4 ,he had not sufficient wood for the morrow1 but why take thought for the morrow8 ,the ,god who has amply supplied the need of to-day1 would not desert him then4 ,david found occupation in gathering together materials for his night-fire1 and then made up for his short broken rest by a refreshing afternoon sleep4 ,when the youth awoke1 he again partook of food1 and relieved his thirst by finishing what he had left of the melon in the morning4 ,then1 reclining on the sand by the heap of dried sticks and leaves which he would light after sunset1 ,david gave himself up to holy thoughts1 repeating to himself the thirty-second ,psalm1 and dwelling upon its meaning verse by verse4 ',for this shall every one that is godly pray unto ,thee4' ,david paused that he might try better to understand this passage of ,scripture4 ,as this ,psalm tells of mercy to him 'whose transgression is forgiven1 whose sin is covered1' ,i should have thought that the word would rather have been1 ',for this shall every one that is ungodly pray unto ,thee4' ,it is only they who want the mercy4 ,but who are the godly1 who are the righteous mentioned so often in the ,bible8 ,do we not read in another part1-- ',there is none that doeth good1 no1 not one'8 ,did not our ,saviour ,himself say1-- ',there is none good but one1 that is ,god'8 ,what is meant1 then1 by godly1 and why should the godly pray because ,god has mercy on sinners8 ,this was a difficult question1 and ,david could not for a long time think of a satisfactory reply4 ,would not ,st4 ,peter be counted godly8 ,and yet ,st4 ,peter three times denied his ,lord4 ,surely ,st4 ,paul was righteous1 yet he had been a persecutor and blasphemer4 ,at length the truth seemed to dawn upon ,david as the words recurred to his mind1-- ',in the ,lord have ,i righteousness and strength4' ,surely the godly in the sixth verse of the ,psalm must be the very same as the blessed one mentioned in the first1 whose transgression is forgiven1 whose sin is covered1 who is counted righteous before ,god1 because through faith1 he is made a partaker of the spotless righteousness of ,christ4 ,it is to such that it is said in the ,psalm1 ,the ,lord imputed not iniquity4 ,yes1 the godly is not1 cannot be the man who has committed no sin1 for in that case there would be none godly upon earth2 but rather he that loveth much1 because he hath been much forgiven6 ,now ,i remember1 thought ,david1 the large picture of the ,deluge1 which used to hang between the two lattice windows in my dear old room at ,greenside1 and what my mother said to us about it on one wintry ,sunday1 when we were almost blocked up by snow4 ,david sighed heavily as he recalled the bright blaze of the wood-fire1 rendered so welcome by the sharp keen air1 and how those lattice windows had been all feathery with frost1 and the trees without1 silvered with frozen dew4 ,to the poor ,wanderer1 half burnt up by ,african heat1 ice and snow and sharp crisp air seemed the greatest of luxuries4 ,david went on with his train of thought in reference to the picture of the ,deluge4 ,my dear mother pointed out to us the ,ark floating on the surface of the waters1 while the rain poured in torrents from the sky1 and poor wretches were drowning even on the tops of the highest hills4 ',mind you1 my children1' she said1 'the family of ,noah were safe1 not because they were good swimmers or good sailors1 but just because they had faith and obedience to make them go into the ,ark4 ,that was the place of safety which ,god had provided1 and no other was safe4 ,and so ,christ is our ,ark and our ,refuge now4 ,if we are in ,him1 we are safe2 even at the last awful day1 the great waters of destruction shall not come nigh us6' ,and what is it to be in ,christ8 ,is it not to come to ,him as a poor1 helpless1 perishing sinner1 whose only hope is in ,his mercy8 ,has ,he not said of such1-- ',he that cometh unto me ,i will in nowise cast out'8 ,reader1 ,i ask you not whether you have ever been a wanderer like ,david1 or whether you have led what men may call a blameless life4 ,i ask1 have you ever come to ,christ2 have you given your heart to ,him8 ,if so1 ,he is willing1 ready to clothe you with ,his own righteousness1 to give you ,his ,spirit to make you holy1 and render you1 by that ,spirit's power1 one of the godly that pray unto ,him6 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,peril ,,at ,,hand4 ,thou art my hiding-place2 ,thou shalt preserve me from trouble2 ,thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance4--,psalm xxxii4 #g4 ,,the glowing red sun went down1 just as ,david1 after much difficulty1 had succeeded in kindling his small dry heap of firewood4 ,there was little or no twilight2 in a short space all was dark 7for the moon had not yet risen71 save when the ,english youth1 on his lonely watch1 carefully placed one crackling branch after another upon his little fire4 ,i must not go to sleep1 thought ,david1 or my fire will go out1 especially as ,i dare not waste my precious fuel to make it large enough to last without constant care4 ,the desert seems to me to be more than usually still3 even the jackals are silent1 and ,i cannot hear the hyena's horrible laugh6 ,david put his ear close to the ground to listen1 and then1--even on that sultry night and close to a fire1--there came over him a feeling like a chill1 and he hastily threw on more fuel1 and made the flumes leap high1 while he looked anxiously in one particular direction1 and then bent down again and listened4 ,yes1 ,i could not mistake that sound1 though uttered1 perhaps1 miles from hence6 ,that was the roar of the lion himself6 ,i must not suffer the fire to die down1 for that is my only protection now1 except the mercy--the watchful care of my ,god6 ,it was no small comfort to ,david to feel the night-breeze blowing from the direction in which he had heard the roar1--for as he was to windward of the lion1 the terrible king of the desert was not so likely to scent either him or the remains of the ,springbok which he was heating at the fire4 ,still it was an awful position for him2 alone in the waste1 with the knowledge that a fierce wild beast was roaming abroad1 and that there was not so much as the barrier of a wall or a hedge between it and him6 ,it was somewhat natural that ,david1 in this strange peril1 should recall to mind a verse from ,st4 ,peter's epistle4 ',be sober1 be vigilant2 because your adversary1 the ,devil1 as a roaring lion1 walketh about1 seeking whom he may devour4' ,how much more carefully1 how much more anxiously ,i guard against the lion which can only destroy my body1 than ,i did against him who so nearly destroyed my soul6 thought ,david4 ,here am ,i now1 giving up sleep1 treasuring every dry stick as if it were worth its weight in gold1 stirring my fire to a blaze1 listening1 watching1 waiting1 ready to start up any moment with my spear in my hand6 ,how was it with me in my careless days of sin8 ,why1 ,i have profanely laughed at the notion of danger2 ,i have been angry at warnings1 however wisely given2 ,i have scarcely believed that there was a ,devil at all1 and ,i have actually jested with the soul-destroyer's name on my lips6 ,i was no more afraid of the ,lion that goeth about to devour1 than yon 'dead' antelope is of the fierce wild beast that may swallow it up in a moment4 ,and why was ,i so easy and careless8 ,it was because ,i was 'dead in sin2' my conscience was dead6 ,thank ,god1 the ,god of mercy1 that ,i did not then perish for ever1--called to the bar of judgment unrepenting1 and therefore unforgiven6 ,for hours the ,wanderer sat feeding his fire1 while the full moonlight fell around him1 and thousands of twinkling stars glimmered in the deep blue sky above4 ,the fire1 kept up to scare away lions and other beasts of prey1 was like the grace of ,god in the heart1 which every ,christian must carefully tend by watchfulness and prayer4 ,oh6 ,dear reader1 when we find our hearts growing cold towards ,god1 when our light does not shine before men1 when we become sleepy and careless in religion1 let us tremble and rouse ourselves to greater vigilance4 ,for our enemy is not asleep1 temptation and danger are near1 far greater peril than any that can threaten the body alone6 ,sometimes ,david fancied that he saw dim forms1 like shadows1 moving in the distance4 ,and once again1 but still afar off1 he heard the sound of the deep low roar which strikes such terror to the heart4 ,he tried to keep his soul calm and composed1 trusting in ,god2--to realise the precious assurance contained in the words of the ,saviour3 ',are not five sparrows sold for two farthings1 and not one of them is forgotten before ,god8 ,but even the very hairs of your head are all numbered4 ,fear not1 therefore3 ye are of more value than many sparrows4' ,who should be so fearless as the ,christian who rests under the shadow of the ,almighty's wings8 ,of what need he be afraid to whom death itself1 whenever or howsoever it comes1 is but a messenger of love to bear him to the presence of a ,father6 ,though ,david found comfort in such thoughts1 he was thankful when the long1 long night wore away1 though1 oh1 how slowly6 ,at length a glow appeared in the eastern sky1 the morning broke at last1 and there was the ,wanderer1 alive and unharmed4 ,how much during the night had ,david thought of his home and every individual in it2 memory calling up each dear familiar face1 till he could almost fancy himself again seated with his family round the cheerful board1 with little ,nelly on his knee4 ,and how fondly he had prayed for every one at ,greenside--his good father1 his tender mother1 the sisters who had been his playmates and friends6 ,what earnest resolutions ,david had made1 that if ,god should please to spare his life1 and let him return to ,england1 he would be the comfort and help of his parents1 a true brother and guardian to the girls4 ,how cheerfully would he labour1 not for a cruel master1 but for a loving father2 not as a bondsman1 but as a son6 ,and even in such a spirit would he try to work for his ,god4 ,his service should not be that of slavish fear1 but of grateful adoring love6 ,he would think no duty too hard1 no duty too painful1 if called to do it for the sake of his merciful ,saviour6 ,it was now broad daylight1 the sun had risen1 and ,david beheld with surprise the change in the scene before him4 ,not half a mile distant appeared a large and beautiful lake1 reflecting like a polished mirror the glittering sunshine6 ,here and there a soft isle appeared to dot the blue expanse of the waters4 ,the scene was lovely1 and all the more so as contrasted with the barren wildness of that upon which the sun had set on the preceding evening4 ,david gazed with admiration indeed1 but not with pleasure4 ,he knew that he looked upon a mirage1 that all was as false as it was fair2 that with that shining lake before him1 he might yet perish with thirst6 ,wide as the waters appeared1 the ,wanderer knew that there was not a drop of real moisture with which he could cool his burning lips1 and he would have thankfully exchanged all the goodly show for a single cup of cold water6 ,ah6 said ,david to himself1 with a sigh4 ,had ,i but reached this spot at night1 and so not have known but too well the nature of the country around1 with what eager hope and delight the sight of that lake would have filled me6 ,how1 at the cost of any pain1 ,i would have rushed towards it1 from the longing to plunge myself into its cool refreshing waters6 ,in the days of my ignorance1 it was thus that ,i looked upon sinful pleasure2 it was a mirage to my soul2 ,i must and would reach it1 and no one should keep me back6 ,i had what ,i resolved to obtain1 and what did ,i find8 ,not cooling waters1 but barren sand6 ,oh6 ,how much of sorrow was needed to teach me the lesson that the soul's thirst for happiness cannot be quenched by the world's mirage6 ,it can only be satisfied by the love of ,him who said1-- ',he that believeth on ,me shall never thirst4' ,david had imagined that with the night his greatest danger from wild beasts would pass away1 that whatever his sufferings might be from its heat1 at least some degree of safety would come from the sun4 ,but when1 after watching the mirage for some time1 he chanced to turn his eyes in a different direction1 he started in sudden alarm6 ,what is that coming towards him8--,a single creature1 and a large one2 it is neither giraffe nor zebra6 ,david1 alone and unprotected1 felt his heart throb fast at the suspicion which flashed across his mind as to the nature of the creature that came on so rapidly over the sand6 ,it was not long that he could cling to a doubt1 it was a large lion that was galloping towards him1 and it saw him2 for straight as an arrow it came in the ,wanderer's direction4 ,the wild beast slackened its pace as it drew nearer2 the bounding gallop was changed to a crouching walk4 ,david would willingly at that moment have given his left hand to have had a double-barrelled gun in his right4 ,for well he knew that his small spear would be of little use in a struggle with an enemy so powerful as the desert king4 ,he would not attempt to fling the weapon--it would only serve to irritate1 not to inflict a mortal wound4 ,it was a fearful thing to stand watching the gradual approach of the lion1 and yet ,david was calmer and more resolute than under circumstances far less trying to flesh and blood4 ,even at that awful time there was a sense of the presence of ,god1 which strengthened his soul to meet danger1 and1 if needs be1 death itself as a man and a ,christian should meet them6 ,david kept his eyes fixed on the lion2 and the glaring eyes of the lion were fixed upon him4 ,the youth had often heard tales amongst ,hottentots of adventures with wild beasts in which the power of the human eye had been mentioned1 and when it had been said that even the lion fears to attack a man who looks him full in the face4 ,david had not put much faith in such stories1 but had often said that he believed the best use of the eye in such cases was to direct a heavy bullet aright4 ,but the young ,englishman had now no other resource1 and he dared scarcely so much as let an eyelid quiver1 as he surveyed the lion with so fixed a stare that a dimness seemed to come over his sight from the intensity of his gaze4 ,as if half spell-bound1 more and more slowly advanced the lion1 crouching catlike on the sand1 lashing his tawny tail1 and uttering ever and anon a low fierce growl4 ,five1 ten minutes thus passed--every minute seemed an hour3 suspense became almost intolerable2 but the end appeared now to be at hand4 ,the lion was not many yards from the ,english youth1 and suddenly1 with an angry shake of his mane1 drew himself together in the act to spring6 ,at this instant1 a sharp report rang through the air1 then another1 and another1--and almost before the dizzied brain of ,david could realise the fact that deliverers must be near1 the lion1 with a wild roar of agony and rage1 rolled over on the sand1 and lay quivering in death but a few paces from the feet of its destined victim4 -------------- ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,resolutions4 ,i will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go3 ,i will guide thee with mine eye4--,psalm xxxii4 #h4 ,a ,,right good shot1 and a splendid prize6 exclaimed a loud cheerful voice in ,english1 as1 musket in hand1 a young mounted hunter galloped up to the spot1 followed by another1 a few years older than himself1 whose face1 bearded and bronzed1 was unmistakeably ,english4 ,you've had a narrow escape6 cried the second rider to ,david1 who still stood as if rooted to the ground4 ,a merciful deliverance6 gasped the youth4 ,aye1 a merciful deliverance indeed6 repeated the first rider1 whose name was ,carlton4 ,we had to make a circuit to get a fair broadside shot1 and feared1 every moment1 that the beast would spring on you before we got near enough to take a sure aim4 ,i had to fire at last at so long a range1 that ,i scarcely expected the bullet would strike4 ,what a splendid creature this lion is1 ,manners6 ,of all our hunting spoils1 this is the noblest by far6 ,and dismounting1 the young ,englishman surveyed with admiration the immense carcass of the once formidable lion4 ,you are a lad of mettle6 observed ,manners to ,david4 ,you stood your ground like a hero6 ,i could neither fight nor fly1 answered ,david simply1 or ,i'd have been glad enough to do either4 ,how came you1--and without a gun1--to be here all alone in such a wild place as this8 asked ,carlton with some curiosity and interest4 ,i served ,hans ,kuhe1 the ,boer1 the track of whose waggon you may see yonder4 ,i fell lame2 he would not let me ride1 and ,i could not walk1--and so he left me behind4 ,the brute6 exclaimed the young hunter4 ,but notwithstanding your lameness1 you seem to have had some luck in hunting1 observed ,manners1 glancing at what remained of the ,springbok4 ,i could not follow the game1--the game was sent to me1 answered ,david1 his heart glowing with gratitude as he spoke2 wild dogs pulled it down near to this spot1 and with my spear ,i was able to frighten them away1 and take what ,god had provided4 ,it was ,he1 too1 who brought you here1 gentlemen--you to whom ,i owe my life1 for which ,i thank you from my soul6 ,we were but just in time1 observed ,manners4 ,carlton had already begun a rough measurement of the lion1 which was one of the largest size1--and he conversed eagerly as he went on with his occupation4 ,this king of beasts--he deserves the name--has led us a good chase this morning over his desert domain4 ,he was prowling last night round the spot where we had outspanned1 and made our oxen half mad with terror4 ,but ,i suppose he thought discretion the better part of valour1 for he did not venture on an attack1 and made off before we could get a fair shot4 ,we mounted1 and have been following on his spoor ever since there was light enough to see it4 ,but ,i doubt whether we should ever have come up with our game1 had you not headed him1 and kept him at bay4 ,you are certainly the hero of this lion adventure1 and deserve the tail as a trophy4 ,you will1 of course1 join our party1 said ,mr4 ,manners kindly to ,david2 our waggons will be up in an hour or so1 for we intend to outspan to-night at ,quagga ,fountain4 ,and ,manners will play surgeon to your hurt1 said ,carlton gaily2 he is doctor-in-chief to our party1 and can set a bone or cut off a leg in a twinkling6 ,david joyfully accepted the offers of his fellow-countrymen4 ,the sound of his native tongue1 in its purity1 was as music to his ears1 and the frank1 cordial kindness which he met with was all the more delightful1 from the contrast which it presented to the harsh conduct of the ,boer4 ,how marvellously had the ,wanderer been watched over and cared for--to the hungry1 food had been sent2 to the friendless1 friends2 and to the helpless1 great deliverance6 ,it sweetened every blessing to ,david1 to regard it as coming directly from ,god4 ,thankfulness is the parent of cheerfulness4 ,we may safely affirm1 that he who has a heart to praise will never lack something to praise for4 ,the hunters now proposed galloping back to their waggons1 and sending some of the ,totties to help to skin the lion4 ,and probably feast on the carcass1 laughed ,carlton4 ,so that they can have plenty of flesh1 these fellows are not particular as to what it comes from4 ,shall ,i take you up behind me on my horse8 said ,manners to ,david4 ,david declined the kindly offer1 the state of his ankle being such as would have rendered the ride extremely painful4 ,besides1 he was unwilling to cause inconvenience to one of his preservers4 ,he would rather remain where he was1 he said1 and watch by the dead lion until the waggons came up4 ,i'll just load my gun and leave it with you1 then1 said ,manners2 you might have other unpleasant visitors while left alone here4 ,and we'll not forget to send you1 by the ,totties1 something to help your breakfast1 added ,carlton2 you have plenty to eat1 as ,i see1 but the liquor must not be wanting4 ,in few but fervent words ,david again thanked his new friends1 who did not care to wait to be thanked4 ,off they rode1 blithe and merry1 joyful at having slain their lion1 and still more delighted at having been the means of saving a gallant lad from a terrible fate4 ,once more was ,david left to himself1 and solitude was not unwelcome1 for with it he could more freely pour out his heart's deep thanksgiving to ,god4 ,he could also more quietly form resolutions for the future4 ,he would now plead for the fulfilment of that gracious promise contained in his mother's favourite ,psalm1-- ',i will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go4' ,david resolved that from that day forth1 he would never take any important step in life without praying for heavenly guidance4 ,nor would he--,god's ,spirit helping his resolve--ever suffer his own wayward will to draw him from the straight path4 ,what is meant by ',i will guide thee with mine eye8' ,david reflected on the expression4 ,it is always well to ponder over such passages until their full meaning becomes clear to our minds4 ,i remember1 thought young ,aspinall1 that when ,minnie and ,i were children together1 mother gave an account of our behaviour during his absence to father1 who had been on business away from home three days4 ',i've had a little trouble with ,davy1' she said 7',i' daresay that it was not a 'little'71 'for he does not always mind what is said to him2 but as for my little ,minnie1 a look is enough for her4 ,minnie was so obedient to her mother that she could be guided by the eye4' ,that must be the meaning of those words in the ,psalm1 and what a beautiful meaning it is6 ,i have been through life like a wilful1 disobedient child1 and ,god has had to draw me back to ,himself by means that were rough and painful4 ,i have had shame and loss1 pain and danger1 and all these trials were needed1 not one could have been spared me4 ,it would not have been thus with me if ,i had obeyed from the first the voice of conscience within4 ,yes1 ',conscience' applying ,scripture must be the 'directing look' of the ,lord2 and the man who follows it fully and faithfully1 he it is whom ,god 'guides by ,his eye4' ,the greatest earthly desire ,david now had was to return to his home and fulfil those wishes of his parents1 which had now become his own4 ,even the recollection of the painful passage in his life in ,london which had once made him so shrink from going back to ,greenside was now insufficient to damp that desire4 ,the thought of treading again the well-known fields1 and hearing the dear familiar voices1--climbing the orchard-trees in autumn1 and flinging down sweet apples to ,eliza1 whose good-humoured face would look almost as round and rosy as they1--or sitting by the fire1 on winter evenings1 telling tales of ,african life1--how delightful would this be6 ,then the walk with his father and mother along the green lanes to the church on the hill with ,jenny close at his side1 or listening to the soft music of ,minnie's voice teaching ,nelly the evening hymn--all was like a dream of happiness to the poor ,wanderer in ,africa1 too bright to be ever realised6 ,but how could ,david get back to ,england8 ,doubtless the generous hunters who had already shown so much kindness would take him in safety to some part of the colony where he would at least be in no danger of starvation1 or of perishing by attacks of beasts1 or ,bushmen4 ,but ,david felt that he had no right to expect anything more from them4 ,the injury to his ankle was so severe that he feared lest it would be long indeed before he could have a chance of working his way home3 and though1 at the ,cape1 he might earn something by the labour of his hands1 he knew from experience that a tedious time must elapse before he could save enough to pay for a passage to ,england4 ,in the meantime what might not happen6 ,david was in a feverish state from heat1 thirst1 and the pain in his ankle4 ,it is likely1 too1 that the adventure with the lion had1 for the time1 shaken his nerves2 indeed1 to face such a fearful creature alone1 and for so long a time1 was enough to try the firmest--all these causes together produced a depressing effect upon his spirits4 ,a horrible fear came over him that he should never see his father again1 never be able to ask his forgiveness1 that he should arrive in ,england just too late1 and find the farm in the hands of strangers1 his family gone1 nothing of theirs left but a new tombstone in the churchyard6 ,david groaned aloud as his feverish fancy presented all this to his mind with the vividness of reality4 ,oh1 that he had wings to fly home6 ,how could he endure to wait for months1 perhaps for years1 before he could embark for ,old ,england6 ,could it be wrong to wish1 to pray for money1 when money could take him to his home8 ,david did pray1 and very earnestly1 that the way might be opened before him1 and that his father might be spared to rejoice in his prodigal's return4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,guidance4 ,i will guide thee by mine eye4--,psalm xxxii4 #h4 ,,the movements of the two waggons belonging to the ,english hunters1 though certainly quicker than those of the ,boer who had lost so many of his span1 99 were tedious to the impatient ,david4 ,he did not1 however1 have to remain suffering from thirst until they came up1 for a party of ,hottentots1 sent by the hunters1 who were themselves engaged in shooting1 came up to carry off the skin and claws of the lion1 and ,manners had not forgotten to forward by them water1 and other things needful4 99 ,a span usually consists of fourteen oxen4 ,david1 though to a certain degree refreshed1 longed for the shelter of the waggon-tilt to shield him from the blazing sun4 ,he was not exactly in the track along which the waggons would pass1 having left it1 as the reader is aware1 for the little low clump of bushes4 ,david1 to whom the sight and scent of the ,hottentots engaged in their task were anything but agreeable1 took the musket and spear to support his painful steps1 and made his way back to the road1 if road it could be called1 where he saw on the sand the broad marks of the wheels of ,hans' waggon1 and the hoof-prints of his weary oxen4 ,the youth was now not many yards from the spot where he had pleaded1 though in vain1 to be taken up on that waggon1--perhaps some fifty paces farther on the road than where he had stood at that time4 ,emotions of fiery indignation rose in the ,wanderer's breast1 when he thought of the cruel wrong that had been done him1 and how nearly the conduct of his heartless master had given him over as a prey to the lion4 ,david was turning over these reflections in his mind1 when his eye chanced to fall on an object lying not far from his feet1 on the track of the ,boer's waggon4 ,he knew in an instant what it was1 and hastening to the spot1 as fast as pain would let him1 he raised from the sand a large leathern purse heavy with gold1 that gold which ,hans ,kuhe prized more than anything else upon earth1 except perhaps1 his brandy-flask and his pipe4 ,a crowd of conflicting feelings pressed upon the mind of ,david as he grasped the heavy purse1 dropped on the road by the man who had almost been his murderer4 ,the very first thought which arose was1 ,this is sent in answer to prayer2 this money will take me home6 ,then there followed a strange conflict within1 a kind of dialogue which ,david held with his own soul2 or rather1 there was the ,tempter of man speaking on the one hand1 and ,conscience answering on the other4 ,if the reader knows nothing of such an inward struggle1 it is to be feared that it is because ,conscience is silent1 not because sin is dead4 ,,tempter4--,why should you doubt for a moment whether it is lawful for you to take this money which ,providence has placed in your very path8 ,,conscience4--,it is written1 ,thou shalt not covet4--,thou shalt not steal4 ,,tempter4--,the hateful ,boer owes you wages2 it is lawful to take your own4 ,,conscience4--,he owes you but one piece of gold1 which alone can be rightfully yours2 that purse1 by its weight1 contains at least forty4 ,,tempter4--,but think of the good you might do with that money4 ,in the hands of the ,boer it will be spent on drunken revels1 or still worse4 ,with you it will make your parents happy2 it will take you back to the home which it was sin in you ever to leave4 ,,conscience4--,how that money will be spent by another is not the point to decide4 ,it is not the ,boer's conduct1 but your own1 that you must answer for before ,god4 ,ill-gotten wealth brings no blessing1 but a curse4 ,let none do evil1 that good may come4 ,,tempter4--,but think on your cruel wrongs4 ,remember the insulting words1--nay1 even the blows which you have had to endure4 ,think on the barbarity of him who could leave a faithful follower to die a lingering death1 and that1 too1 from a hurt received in his service4 ,if you cannot keep the purse for yourself1 throw it away4 ,let it be found by some one else who will use the money without a scruple4 ,take out the one piece which is your own1 and then scatter the gold to the right and the left4 ,you may scorn to keep another man's money1 but you may enjoy the sweetness of revenge4 ,your tyrant will have to bear a heavy loss1 and it is to be hoped that he will look upon it as a just punishment for his conduct to you4 ,,conscience4--,it is written1 ,do good to them that hate you2 pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you4 ,it is written1 ,if ye do not forgive1 neither will your ,father which is in ,heaven forgive your trespasses4 ,there is a safe and simple rule which every servant of ,christ is bound to follow1 ,be not overcome of evil1 but overcome evil with good4 ,conscience had won the victory1 and ,david enjoyed the blessed experience of what it is for ,god's child to be guided by ,his eye4 ,the youth resolved to restore the purse1 at the first opportunity1 to its rightful owner2 but human nature is weak1 and he knew that if such opportunity were long delayed1 the temptation which he had just conquered might come back again with irresistible force4 ,reason told him that it would be better to put it out of his power to take from that store of gold in case his need should be very great or a length of time should elapse before he should meet ,hans ,kuhe again4 ,the ,boer was1 as ,david believed1 more than a day's march before him1 and his road would turn off at ,quagga ,fountain in quite a different direction from that which the ,english party were likely to take4 ,the gentlemen would know better than ,david could how to send money across a wild country2 the lad therefore made up his mind to place the purse in their hands1 after taking from it the small amount of wages actually due to himself4 ,before the hunters came riding up towards him1 a little in advance of their waggons1 ,david had decided on the right course to be pursued4 ,as soon as they had dismounted and had come up to the place where he was awaiting their arrival1 young ,aspinall gave the parse into the hands of ,manners1 and told him that he had picked it up on the road1 but that he knew it belonged to ,hans ,kuhe1 a ,dutch ,boer1 who lived at ,heinbok ,moot and that he hoped the gentlemen would kindly take charge of it1 and have it restored to its owner4 ,how came you to identify a common-looking purse so readily8 inquired ,mr4 ,carlton4 ,i have seen it dozens of times in the hands of its owner2 ,i know well that tobacco-stain left by his fingers4 ,he is some friend of yours then1 ,i suppose8 ,hardly to be called so1 answered ,david with a smile2 only yesterday he was my master4 ,your master6 exclaimed ,carlton4 ,what--the fellow who left you to die in the desert6 ,carlton whistled1 and turned on his heel4 ,manners smiled1 placed the heavy purse in one of his pockets1 and told ,david that he would take care not only that it should reach its owner1 but that the ,boer should be informed who had been its finder4 ,and now1 my boy1 said the ,englishman1 let me play the surgeon1 and look at your ankle4 ,very skilfully and very kindly did ,manners1 like the good ,samaritan1 bind up the hurt of the young traveller whom he had met by the way1 ,carlton looking on with interest as he did so4 ,the three then mounted the waggon1 whose tilt1 lined with many a trophy of the chase1 offered a refreshing shelter from the blazing heat of noon4 ,manners made ,david rest on his own bed in the waggon1 where the lad enjoyed a long deep sleep1 from which he awoke quite free from fever1 and much more disposed to look upon everything in a cheerful light4 ,it was very pleasant indeed to ,david1 who had been treated as a dog by ,hans ,kuhe1 to find himself not only in the society of countrymen and gentlemen1 but to be aware that they were both very favourably disposed towards him1 and that they admired his courage and honesty4 ,it was not merely the hope that ,manners and ,carlton might in some way help his return to ,england that made this knowledge so delightful to ,david2 he had a heart that warmed to kindness1 especially in a foreign land1 and after having experienced so much of the reverse1 the youth was naturally desirous to keep the good opinion of the hunters1 and was anxious not to say or do anything which might lower him in their eyes4 ,as the three sat in the waggon together1 the gentlemen asked ,david a few questions as to his parentage and birthplace1 and seemed pleased when they heard that he was the son of an ,english farmer4 ,one might have guessed that you came of the race of our bold yeomen1 observed ,carlton1 when you would face a lion for half an hour without winking6 ,david's cheek glowed with pleasure at the praise1 and he could not refrain from telling of a brave deed performed by his father in early youth1 when ,john ,aspinall had been the means of saving a girl from an infuriated bull4 ,both the gentlemen listened with much interest1 and ,manners quoted something from ,goldsmith about a bold peasantry1 their country's pride1 which raised ,david's spirits still higher4 ,the conversation then took another turn4 ,the subject was that of shooting1 and the hunters were glad to find that their young comrade knew very well how to handle a musket or rifle4 ,almost the best shot that ever ,i met with was our gamekeeper's son1 observed ,manners4 ,i've seen him bring down a small bird on the wing when it looked a mere speck in the sky6 ,he was such a clever lad too2 he could turn his hand to anything4 ,he'd have been invaluable on an expedition like ours--he'd have dressed a dinner or mended a shaft1 or have made a pair of velt-shoen1 or have driven a span of oxen1 as if he'd been brought up to the business of cook1 carpenter1 cobbler1 and driver6 ,the poor fellow was wild to come with me to ,africa6 ,and why did you not bring him8 asked ,carlton4 ,well1 began ,manners slowly1 as if he scarcely dared to give his reasons2 you see--he had got into a scrape--had been before the magistrate1 and had seen the inside of a prison4 ,i don't choose to have anyone about me whose character bears a stain4 ,quite right1--don't you think so8 said ,carlton1 tuning towards ,david4 ,the poor youth's face flushed again1 but not this time with pleasure4 ,he felt uneasy1 mortified1 ashamed1 and knew not what to reply4 ,why1 continued ,carlton1 seeing that he hesitated1 you would not keep company with a gaolbird1 would you8 ,again there was a struggle within1 a dialogue between the ,tempter and ,conscience1 only carried on far more rapidly than ,i can write1 or the reader peruse it4 ,,tempter4--,put a bold face on the matter2 say no at once4 ,,conscience4--,that would be a lie4 ,,tempter4--,only a white lie2 it will do no one harm4 ,,conscience4--,it will do you grievous harm1 for it is sin4 ,lying lips are an abomination to the ,lord4 ,once more ,david felt ,conscience to represent his ,god's guiding eye4 ,you would not keep company with a gaolbird8 repeated ,carlton1 resolved to have a reply4 ,i--,i have been in a scrape myself1 said ,david with a desperate effort4 ,then ,i'll be bound1 it was on some false charge6 exclaimed ,manners4 ,i wish ,i could say so1 murmured poor ,david1 heartily wishing himself fifty miles off4 ,there was silence for two or three seconds1 and then ,manners observed to ,carlton1 whatever he was 'then1' he is a noble fellow 'now2' we'll never come on this subject again4 ,the effort was over--the truth had been told1 and ,david had the comfort of finding that his candour had raised him as much in the favour of his friends1 as he had feared that his confession would have lowered him4 ,manners and ,carlton treated him with even more kindness than before1 while he had the comfort of feeling that he had followed the dictates of ,conscience1 and spoken the truth1 as a ,christian should ever do4 ,never yet had any being cause to regret having followed1 whether in small things or in great1 the gentle leading of ,him who guideth ,his saints by ,his eye6 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,the ,,stubborn ,,sinner4 ,be ye not as the horse1 or as the mule1 which have no understanding3 whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle1 lest they come near unto thee4--,psalm xxxii4 #i4 ,,david was reminded of the verse which heads this chapter while watching the struggles of one of the draught-oxen1 which was young1 obstinate1 and not yet well broken-in to the yoke4 ,restive and stubborn1 it seemed disposed to pull in any way but the right one1 though its very life1 as ,david knew1 depended on its obeying the driver1 who was directing it to the nearest point where a large fountain of water was to be found4 ,the ox kicked1 tried to gore with its horns1--to break from the waggon1 to do anything rather than obey1 and drew down upon itself heavy blow after heavy blow--punishment carried to an extent that would have been cruel1 had it not been actually needful4 ,my conduct was once very much like that of yon wretched ox1 thought ,david1 though ,i could not plead its excuse of having 'no understanding4' ,i have had terrible blows that have made my very heart bleed2 but it was long before ,i would give way and bow my proud spirit to the yoke4 ,but ,i will call it a yoke no longer2 those who obey ,conscience are released from the 'bit and the bridle2' they follow the steps of their ,master2 they are not driven1 but led4 ,the sun was sloping towards the west1 and the ,hottentot drivers said that the waggons would reach ,quagga ,fountain before he set4 ,it was there that they would outspan for the night4 ,we shall not be alone1 observed ,carlton1 for ,i see a waggon not half a mile ahead4 ,this was rather a subject of surprise1 as ,david was certain that none had passed on the tract since ,hans ,kuhe had gone that way4 ,it must be that of the ,boer1 he observed1 but still it is strange to see it there4 ,he counted upon leaving ,quagga ,fountain early this morning1 and if that be his waggon yonder1 he can never have reached the water at all4 ,perhaps1 suggested ,manners1 his oxen were too feeble to draw the waggon1 and so he has outspanned1 and taken on the weary beasts to the fountain1 leaving the waggon until they were able to pull it again4 ,we shall soon know the truth1 said ,carlton4 ,i hope the ,boer may be there1 that he has stuck fast in the sand1 and that ,david may have the pleasure of giving back the purse himself1 and seeing if it be possible to make such a fellow blush4 ,after the waggons had advanced some way1 ,david spoke again1 anxiously4 ,certainly there are none of the oxen with the waggon1 and1 strange to say1 there does not seem to be anyone left in charge4 ,hans ,kuhe is not the man to desert his goods like that4 ,though he could desert his faithful servant1 observed ,carlton4 ,there is a man1--and it must be the ,boer himself1 for he is certainly not a ,tottie1 laying flat upon the ground1 about five yards to the left of the waggon1 and he looks as if he had been stripped of half his clothes6 said ,manners4 ,something must have happened to him6 exclaimed ,david1 starting up4 ,hans ,kuhe must have been attacked by the ,bushmen4 ,let us hasten on and see4 ,the oxen were urged to their best speed4 ,every yard that they advanced served to confirm the fears of ,david4 ,he saw before him the waggon of ,kuhe1 but it was utterly empty1 stripped of all the innumerable articles of furniture1 dress1 trade1 the karosses1 cooking-utensils1 ivory tusks1 skins1 ostrich-eggs and feathers1 that had made it appear something between a house on wheels1 and a travelling museum4 ,one wounded dog which came barking up to ,david1 as if delighted to see his familiar face1 was the only thing that showed life and motion4 ,one or two arrows such as are used by ,bushmen1 a biscuit-cask robbed of its stores1 and some broken pipes and empty bottles lay on the sand1 which had evidently been trampled by many feet that had never worn shoes4 ,the first care of the three ,englishmen was to hasten up to what had appeared to be the lifeless body of the ,boer4 ,david1 in his eagerness1 sprang down from the waggon1 almost forgetful of his lameness4 ,he is not dead6 exclaimed the youth4 ,he is not dead6 ,see--he moves--he opens his eyes4 ,if we had water-- ,brandy--brandy6 groaned the ,boer4 ,both water and brandy were brought4 ,the wretched man1 who had lain there for twenty-four hours1 drank as if he never would cease from drinking4 ,he's not much hurt1 ,i hope6 cried ,david4 ,that wound from the dart in his shoulder may not be deep2 it has scarcely bled at all1 and it is near no vital part4 ,but the flesh is dreadfully swollen around it1 said ,manners1 gravely shaking his head4 ,he then quickly returned to his own waggon1 to bring from it other things that might be needed by the wounded man4 ,how came 'you' here6 exclaimed ,hans ,kuhe suddenly1 fixing his eyes with a wild startled expression upon ,david1 who had been supporting the ,boer's head on his knee1 while holding a flask to his lips4 ,you may well ask that question1 muttered ,carlton1 for it is no thanks to you that he is here1 or anywhere on this earth6 ,he probably did not intend that his words should reach the ,dutchman's ear1 but they had been both heard and understood1 for ,hans exclaimed with vehemence1 raising himself with an effort to a sitting posture as he spoke1 ,ay1 ay1 it was that1 that has brought the ruin upon me6 ,he would have watched1 have kept awake2 the savages would not have stolen upon us1 and struck before ,i could snatch up a musket6 ,ay1 ay1 ,i've had nothing but ill-luck since ,i left him alone6 ,first ,i dropped my purse-- ,which ,david found--and which ,david restores to you6 said ,manners1 who came up at the moment1 as he drew forth the purse1 and gave it to the youth1 who was still on his knees beside his former master4 ,take it--all your money is there1 save the one piece which you owed me1 said ,david1 putting the heavy purse close to the coarse brown fingers that were wont to clutch gold so eagerly1 and to hold it so fast4 ,but1 to his surprise1 ,hans ,kuhe made no attempt to take up the purse4 ,what's money to me6 groaned the miserable man1 sinking back on the sand4 ,can it keep back death for one hour--one moment8 ,not death6 exclaimed ,david1 cheeringly4 ,you have but a flesh-wound from an arrow4 ,but the arrow was 'poisoned6' muttered ,hans4 ,there's nothing on earth that can save me6 ,he speaks too truly1 said ,manners1 who had been examining the wound4 ,spend what time is left you1 unhappy man1 in making your peace with ,god1 for no human skill can help you now4 ,peace with ,god6 repeated the sufferer gloomily4 ,it is too late4 ,i never cared for religion in health1 and now-- ,pray1 oh6 ,pray6 exclaimed ,david4 ,god is so merciful--,i have found ,him so merciful1--if we but repent4 ,i cannot repent1 groaned the dying sinner1 whose life had been one long course of rebellion1 who had closed his ears and his heart to offers of mercy1 till he had become stubborn and hardened in guilt4 ,let me but repeat to you what has been my own comfort--my own hope1 said ,david with emotion1 for ,conscience bade him make yet one effort more for the soul of the miserable man1--though the presence of the hunters1 and his own consciousness of unworthiness1 made it very difficult for him to speak4 ',blessed is he whose--' ,there's no blessing for me--none6 interrupted the ,boer4 ,go1 boy1 go1--you mean kindly1 but it is too late6 ,take that purse--keep it--,i have wronged you1--,i've met my deserts1--money--oxen--goods--life--all gone6 ,i shall want nothing more--but a grave6 ,these were the last words which ,hans ever spoke4 ,he was gently placed in a waggon1 and there ,david1 with such care and kindness as a son might have shown1 tended his enemy while life ebbed away4 ,how awful is the deathbed of the wicked6 ,david had prayed to his ,god in a time when ,he might be found4 ,hans was like those unhappy ones who neglected ,noah's warnings till ,god's people had entered the ,ark1 and the door was shut1 and they who had been offered mercy in vain were swept away by the flood of great waters6 ,it is scarcely necessary to relate how the misfortune of ,hans had come upon him4 ,after eating and drinking to excess1 the ,boer had fallen into a heavy sleep in his waggon4 ,pollux1 who never worked if he could possibly be idle1 followed his master's example and slept1 while the tired oxen halted on the way4 ,a crouching ,bushman who had come as a spy saw the state of affairs1 which was such as to invite an attack4 ,and gathering some of his tribe1 they made an onslaught on the waggon1 first sending a shower of poisoned arrows1 for the ,boer was known to be heavily armed1 was a dead shot1 and a very powerful man4 ,the reader knows the result3 ,pollux fled1--the oxen and everything that could be carried off were taken1 and the ,boer was left to die6 ,there he lay1 thirsting1 and in misery1 dreading attacks from wild beasts1 in far more woeful state than that to which his selfish cruelty had doomed his poor young servant4 ,that night the remains of ,hans ,kuhe were buried near the ,quagga ,fountain4 ,there was no tear shed over his grave4 ,his life had been without faith or repentance2 his death was without hope or peace4 ,there is no peace1 saith my ,god1 to the wicked4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,home4 ,many sorrows shall be to the wicked3 but he that trusteth in the ,lord1 mercy shall compass him about4 ,be glad in the ,lord1 and rejoice1 ye righteous3 and shout for joy1 all ye that are upright in heart4--,psalm xxxii4 #aj1 #aa4 ,i will now pass over some months1 and change the scene of my story from the wild glowing wastes of ,africa1 to a quiet little ,english farm1--and ask my reader to unfasten in thought the latch of its little gate1 which is whitened with silvery frost1 cross the small garden where the snow lies so thick that every footstep leaves its print1 and through the low porch1 icicle-hung1 enter the old picturesque dwelling1 which feels so warm and comfortable after the sharp evening air without4 ,warm it is1--for large logs are blazing in the old-fashioned fireplace1 which is so wide that it holds a seat on either side4 ,and on one of these seats is ,farmer ,aspinall1 warming his hands by the kindly blaze1 after a good day's work4 ,his wife is stirring something in a large iron pot which is simmering on the fire1 and giving out a very savoury smell4 ,five girls of different heights1 from ,minnie1 a gentle-looking young maiden now almost as tall as her mother1--to ,nelly who is hardly higher than the table1 are busy with a quantity of bright holly and mistletoe1 which ,eliza had just brought in4 ,for this is ,christmas eve1 and the farmer's family keep up the old ,english custom of decking their home with evergreens1 and making it gay with berries4 ,why do you look so sad1 ,jenny8 asked ,nelly1 glancing up inquiringly into the face of her sister4 ,is not this ,christmas time1 and should we not all be glad8 ,christmas has never seemed the same to me1 said ,jenny with a deep sigh1 since ,davy went away4 ,ah6 ,yes1 cried chubby-cheeked ,eliza1 how merry he used to make us all6 ,his going has been a trial1--a very great trial to us1 said ,minnie1 to whom the events related in the second chapter had been like a blight in the spring-time of life4 ,but our 'trials' must not make us forget our 'blessings1'--and we have had so many of these lately4 ,yes1 there's the cow that uncle ,white gave us1 interrupted ,nelly4 ,i shall never care for it as ,i cared for poor ,crummie1 said ,bessy1 the second youngest of the girls4 ,and there's the famous harvest6 cried ,eliza4 ,our barn was never so full before6 ,and father is better--dear father6 ,he don't want his crutch1 said ,nelly4 ,oh6 exclaimed ,minnie1 her eyes filling with tears4 ,when ,i look at that crutch hung up there1 and think of all father once suffered1 ,i feel that we can never be thankful enough to see him so well again6 ,he has a sore heart though1 ,i know he has1 and so has mother1 said ,jenny1 lowering her voice that her parents might not overhear her2 ,i daresay they are both thinking of poor ,davy now4 ,i'm sure since we got that last dull letter from ,heinbok ,kloof 7what a horrid place it must be67 ,i've scarce thought of anything else4 ,i wish ,christmas time were over--just think what a ,christmas our ,davy will have6 ,and a tear dropped on the spray of holly which ,jenny held in her hand4 ,dear ,jenny1 is it not a comfort that1 though parted1 we can pray for him still8 said ,minnie4 ,i always pray for ,davy1 cried little ,nelly2 ,i say1-- ',please1 ,god1 take care of brother1 and bring him safe back4' ,and so1 added the child with simple faith1 ,i think he'll come home at last4 ,hark6 cried ,jenny suddenly4 ,isn't there a footstep outside8 ,some one is tapping at the pane6 exclaimed ,nelly4 ,there's a face at the window6 cried ,minnie4 ,but it was the mother's eye which first caught sight of that face1 and knew it in the reflected glow from the fire-light within4 ,there was a wild rash of all the sisters to the door1 but it was the mother's hand that drew back the bolt1 and let in the ,wanderer--the beloved4 ,and the first kiss of welcome to ,david was the kiss of the mother who1 sobbing1 pressed him to her heart6 ,yes1 it was ,david himself1 though a good deal changed1 as his family saw when they were calm enough to think of anything but the one delight of meeting4 ,he was taller1 thinner1 and much more sun-burnt than when they had parted4 ,but the change within was far greater than the change without4 ,the proud1 wilful1 wayward lad had come back the brave1 unselfish1 earnest ,christian1 who was resolved1 by ,god's help1 to lead a new life1 ever setting duty before pleasure1 or rather finding his pleasure in duty3 ,not slothful in business1 fervent in spirit1 serving the ,lord4 ,the farmer had started to his feet at the first joyful cry from his girls1 and went forward to meet his son with such deep1 quiet thankfulness as no words1 no outward sign could express4 ,the sisters were full of eager questionings1 the father hardly uttered a word3 the mother wept for joy1 but the father shed no tear4 ,yet no one could have looked at his honest manly face on that evening1 as ,john ,aspinall sat listening to the account of the wonderful deliverances of his son1 without seeing that in none of the breathless listeners was feeling more true and deep4 ,the ,christian man had gone through a life of toil1 hardship1 and trial2 he had known sickness and suffering1 poverty and disappointment4 ,but he had put his trust in ,god1 and ,god had now brought him safely through all4 ,to ,him who had been his ,rock and ,fortress in the time of sorrow1 ,john ,aspinall now looked up in his hour of exceeding joy4 ,many sorrows shall be to the wicked4 ,yes1 the reader may observe1 but is it not also written1 ,many are the afflictions of the righteous8 ,true1 but it is added1 ,the ,lord delivereth him out of them all4 ,the troubles of those who love ,god do not last for ever1 and they leave a blessing behind--like3 ,summer showers that make the world the greener1 ,the air still fresher1 and the sky serener2 or like the overflowings of the river ,nile1 which cover the fields for a while1 only that they may1 at a future time of the year1 be covered with a more abundant harvest4 ,reader1 my tale is ended4 ,ere you lay it down1 suffer me to ask you a few brief questions4 ,do you know anything of the blessedness of him whose transgression is forgiven1 whose sin is covered2 or are you putting off repentance to a more convenient season1 which may never arrive8 ,are you one of those whom the ,lord1 through the voice of conscience1 guides with ,his eye2 or are you the stubborn self-seeking sinner1 for whom is needed the bit1 the bridle1 and the blow8 ,do you pray to the ,lord in your troubles1 or only seek help from man8 ,if you be willing now to seek the ,lord while ,he may be found1 to come to your ,saviour for pardon and peace1 and the grace of ,his ,holy ,spirit1 to make you love and obey ,him1 you will find that ,he is the best of masters1 the truest of friends1 the most tender of fathers4 ,walking in ,his ways1 and doing ,his will1 you will experience in the end the truth of the closing verses of this beautiful ,psalm1-- ',he that trusteth in the ,lord1 mercy shall compass him about4 ,be glad in the ,lord1 and rejoice1 ye righteous2 and shout for joy1 all ye that are upright in heart4' ,,psalm ,,xxxii4 ,blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven1 whose sin is covered4 ,blessed is the man unto whom the ,lord imputeth not iniquity1 and in whose spirit there is no guile4 ,when ,i kept silence1 my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long4 ,for day and night ,thy hand was heavy upon me3 my moisture is turned into the drought of summer4 ,selah4 ,i acknowledged my sin unto ,thee1 and mine iniquity have ,i not hid4 ,i said1 ,i will confess my transgressions unto the ,lord1 and ,thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin4 ,selah4 ,for this shall every one that is godly pray unto ,thee in a time when ,thou mayest be found3 surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him4 ,thou art my hiding-place2 ,thou shalt preserve me from trouble2 ,thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance4 ,selah4 ,i will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go3 ,i will guide thee with mine eye4 ,be ye not as the horse1 or as the mule1 which have no understanding3 whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle1 lest they come near unto thee4 ,many sorrows shall be to the wicked3 but he that trusteth in the ,lord1 mercy shall compass him about4 ,be glad in the ,lord1 and rejoice1 ye righteous3 and shout for joy1 all ye that are upright in heart4 ,,the ,,end4